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Are Wire Cages Bad for Rabbits?  

If you are planning on keeping a rabbit, it’s important to know what type of housing is best for these fluffy friends. Many types of cages are available on the market ranging from wooden and plastic cages to wire and metal rabbit cages.

Poor health in bunnies is often a cause of a bad rabbit cage choice. Rabbits are quite sensitive to their environment and if they are not comfortable in a particular type of cage, it will hinder their growth.

Are wire cages bad for rabbits is a question many first-time rabbit owners ask. In this article, we are going to find an answer to this burning question and look at some other types of rabbit cages that might prove to be better than wire cages.

So, let’s get started.

Are Wire Cages Bad for Rabbits?  

What Does a Rabbit Cage Look Like?

Think of a rabbit cage as a type of housing that will offer them security and comfort. Most cages available on the market are composed of wire meshes with the floor as well as the walls and the top made of wire.

These cages are suitable to be kept inside the house. This is because wire meshes do not offer shade and privacy to the animals. However, if you want to keep it outdoors, it is recommended to cover the sides with solid material like plastic or wood.

Other than these cages, rabbit hutches and pens are also available on the market that are designed to be kept outside. They usually do not come with a floor so the rabbits have direct access to the ground. Hutches are made of wood and are very popular among rabbit owners.

Similarly, rabbit pens are large, dedicated areas designed to let the animals move and play around freely. And finally, a rabbit run is a cage that is enclosed and designed to be mobile so you can easily move it from one place to another.  

When rabbit owners have to choose a cage, they usually go for something that is easy to clean and is porous. So, weigh all these choices and then come up with a solution that will offer the best of both worlds.

Are Wire Cages Bad for Rabbits?

Rabbits have soft and delicate feet and most of them do not have fluffy pads like those of cats and dogs. If their cage has a wire floor, it may hurt their feet. However, wire mesh cages are very common and they have been found to be safe and healthy for bunnies.  

Bunnies with extra sensitive feet will develop foot sores and calluses on a wire floor. However, modern wire cages are designed to be kept outside where the floor will sink a bit into the ground offering no harm to the animals.

These cages are, in fact, healthier and safer for the bunnies because they are easy to clean and manage. Litter or solid floors, on the other hand, become dirty very quickly and may prove to be detrimental to a rabbit’s health.

Since a rabbit would prefer a space as close to her natural habitat as possible, wire mesh cages kept outside in the garden are the best choice for her housing. It will promote her natural foot mechanics if kept outdoors. Any other cage with a solid base will become contaminated with urine and feces that will consequently attract parasites and cause other issues.

Foot calluses developed due to a wire mesh floor are not as bad as hutch burns, foot fungus, and sore hocks developed as a result of contamination.

However, when you choose a wire cage for your bunny, make sure it is not made of something known as “cheese wire”. Such a gauge is too fine and may serve to cut up a bunny’s feet. The experts tell us that the best wire recommended for a rabbit’s cage is a 14-gauge double-galvanized wire.

You can get resting mats made of plastic, coconut fiber, or any other material so the rabbit may sit on them when her feet are tired.

Remember, some rabbits have poor bone structure and they come with too narrow feet. These rabbits will develop sore hocks regardless of the surface they are kept on. You are going to provide special care and attention to these rabbits and make sure they feel comfortable in whatever type of housing you choose.

So, wire cages are not as bad as one might think. There is a need to strike a balance between cleanliness and comfort so that your rabbit’s health is also taken into consideration. It’s also important to know your rabbit’s breed and the type of environment she would prefer and then choose an appropriate cage for her.

You just have to consider all the options available and then choose the best one among them to make sure your rabbit feels safe as well as comfortable in her new home!   

Conclusion

Rabbits are sensitive creatures that require special care and attention from their owners. Rabbit housing or cage is something you should choose after careful research and understanding of this animal’s needs. If a rabbit’s feet do not have any pads, a wire cage that comes with a wire floor may hurt them.

If you must use a wire cage, make sure you provide some sort of resting board or rug for the animal to sit on. It is also recommended to get a properly-sized cage that doesn’t come with too fine a gauge. Make sure the wire doesn’t have any rough edges.

However, it’s not a good idea to get a cage with a solid base made of wood or plastic because such a floor will not promote a rabbit’s foot mechanics and make her suffer.  

Another benefit of a cage with a wire mesh bottom is that it is usually easy to clean and is also an inexpensive option. That is why most people choose this housing type for their rabbits. But make sure you get a properly-sized cage for your bunny, which is also easy to clean and made of high-quality wire.